Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (Apprenticeship)

NHS; St Leonards; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider is seeking 2 Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians to offer support in pharmacy operations at various locations. This apprenticeship provides hands-on experience and training towards a nationally recognized qualification. Ideal candidates will possess 4 GCSEs including English, maths, and one science, and be prepared to engage in a rigorous training program. The position offers a salary of £24,937 to £26,598 annually and an excellent opportunity for professional development.

Benefits

Supported training towards qualification

Hands-on experience in various settings

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a minimum of 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above.
• Eligible for Level 3 Apprenticeship: aged 16 or over, resident in the UK/EU for the last 3 years.
• Must hold a Level 2 functional skills in Maths and English or above.

Responsibilities

• Receiving and issuing prescriptions using an electronic prescribing system.
• Dispensing and carrying out accuracy checks on prescriptions.
• Ward based medicines management and optimisation.

Skills

Communication Skills

Ability to Learn IT Systems

Customer Care

Education

Four GCSEs at grade C/4 or above

Level 2 Pharmacy Services Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Healthcare IT Systems

Job description

Job summary

Join an Award-Winning Team

Are you interested in earning a wage whilst training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification?

An exciting opportunity is available for 2 x Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician(s) (PTPTs) to join the pharmacy team at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust based at either Millview Hospital in Hove or Woodlands Centre, Hastings.

This is a two year fixed-term apprenticeship post.

During the programme you will gain hands‑on experience across our mental health hospitals and also community and/or hospital pharmacy settings, working under the supervision of experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The role involves rotations between settings, giving you broad exposure to different aspects of pharmacy practice.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.

Candidates must have a minimum of 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above and must include Mathematics, English Language, ONE Science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) and one other GCSE, or have a Level 2 Pharmacy services qualification and be able to successfully complete a screening assessment with the education provider. Candidates must also meet the eligibility criteria for UK Apprenticeships.

The role commences in February 2026, subject to satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks in order to comply with the NHS Employment Check Standards.

Main duties of the job

The role is based in the Woodlands Centre in Hastings or Millview Hospital in Hove. It is an excellent opportunity to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a fully qualified and registered Pharmacy Technician.

Whilst rotating through our mental health sites and local acute hospital or community pharmacy, the post holder will learn a variety of skills and take on duties including, but not limited to:

• Receiving and issuing prescriptions, using an electronic prescribing system.
• Dispensing and carrying out an accuracy check on a variety of prescriptions.
• Medicine stock control and supply.
• Medicine procurement and receipt, including the management of discrepancies.
• Ward based medicines management and optimisation.
• Provision of excellent customer care incorporating patient confidentiality.

As a key member of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust pharmacy team, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients stay healthy when they need it most.

About us

Joining our East Sussex pharmacy team means becoming part of a friendly, supportive, and award‑winning service recognised across the Trust.

"Being a Mental Health Pharmacy Technician isn’t just a job; it’s a journey of growth, impact, and purpose. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, collaborate, and contribute to the wellbeing of others. It’s a role that empowers me to make a difference, not only through medicines, but through compassion, teamwork, and continuous improvement."

Shaun – SPFT Pharmacy Technician

Working pattern

37.5 hours per week, to include one day per week of virtual and self‑led learning.

Salary & contract details

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 per annum. Band 3. Fixed term, 24 months. Full‑time.

Qualifications

Essential

• Four GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above/4‑9 which must include at a minimum English Language/Literature, Mathematics and one science. OR have a Level 2 Pharmacy services qualification and be able to successfully complete a screening assessment with the education provider.
• Eligible for Level 3 Apprenticeship: aged 16 or over, resident in the UK/EU for the last 3 years and have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship. Must hold a Level 2 functional skills in Maths and English or above. Must not hold a Level 3 qualification or above in a directly related subject. Must not already be in any form of formal government‑funded education. Must not hold a Level 4 qualification or above, unless the subject is materially different from the apprenticeship.

Desirable

• NVQ or BTEC level 2 in a GPhC recognised qualification e.g. Pharmacy Services.
• Experience dealing with patients or the public.
• Previous experience of Microsoft Office or healthcare IT systems.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-immigration-visa-and-immigration-regularisation-regulation/news/immigration-visa-and-immigration-regularisation-regulation/2021/07/08/UK-visas-and-immigration-website

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/checking-your-exceptional-record for overseas applicants.

Employer details

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Woodlands Centre, The Ridge, Saint Leonards‑on‑sea, East Sussex, TN37 7PT

Website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/

Job description

Pre‑Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians are essential to the continuing development of the Pharmacy team, and applications are invited from enthusiastic, hard‑working, self‑motivated individuals with good written and verbal communication skills. Full educational support is provided, but you will need to be able to quickly learn new IT systems and embrace new technology to provide safe and effective care to patients in a variety of environments.

You will need to be highly committed to achieve the qualification as it requires participation and completion of a vigorous training and competency program. You will need to demonstrate excellent work/life/study balance skills.

Find out more about the role of the Pharmacy Technician: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/pharmacy/roles-pharmacy/pharmacy-technician